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During a visit to Washington, D.C., members of the United Church of Christ (UCC) clergy discussed their concerns with recent federal budget cuts. These clergy members from the Potomac Association gathered on Capitol Hill. They advocated for a budget that would protect societal safety nets. Their discussions highlighted how cuts affected their communities.
The conversation was a response to changes brought about by the White House Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established by the 47th President through an executive order. The department aims to modernize federal technology for efficiency. However, the clergy noted significant job losses as a result.
"Over 100,000 federal employees have lost their jobs because of DOGE and its quest to 'modernize federal technology,'" one clergy member observed. These losses are impacting local communities, particularly in Washington, D.C., a city deeply intertwined with the federal government.
Reports of distress emerged from the meeting. Families in Washington, D.C. are grappling with the loss of income tied to government jobs and funding. One cleric stressed the widespread effects: "As programs are cut, ripple effects are experienced in the states, locally and globally."
The clergy were vocal about the urgency of addressing these effects. They urged a response from religious institutions and called for justice and compassion in policymaking. "The church must not be silent," one participant emphasized.
They also pointed to the social role of the U.S. government in partnership with religious institutions, advocating for a return to compassionate governance that aligns with scriptural mandates for justice and care for the vulnerable.
